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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 12:33:32 GMT
Personally, I prefer 67-73 over 63-66 as a whole in Beach Boys' discography. While I love a lot of classics made in their golden days, I just can't get enough of homemade feels to much of their post-SMiLE stuff at Capitol, as well as mature and complex music on the first four Brother albums. When I first really started to dig deep in The Beach Boys catalog a few years ago, I began to favor that second golden period. But, in the last year or two, I find myself listening to the 63-66 period much more. Of course I love the 1967-73 period, but I love every period. Really, there is something that I take away from every period in the group's career. I have tried to specifically hone in on the 1967-73 period by resequencing the albums, making comps, uncovering unreleased tracks, and numerous concentrated listenings. Again, I love that period but I don't think it even compares to the 1963-1966 era. I find the songwriting, production, and vocal performances to be very superior in the 1963-66 time period. I think there is a reason the 1967-73 albums didn't resonate with the fans and general listening public, and it has much more to do than a lack of marketing.
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Post by kds on Jul 25, 2019 12:44:12 GMT
When I first really started to dig deep in The Beach Boys catalog a few years ago, I began to favor that second golden period. But, in the last year or two, I find myself listening to the 63-66 period much more. Of course I love the 1967-73 period, but I love every period. Really, there is something that I take away from every period in the group's career. I have tried to specifically hone in on the 1967-73 period by resequencing the albums, making comps, uncovering unreleased tracks, and numerous concentrated listenings. Again, I love that period but I don't think it even compares to the 1963-1966 era. I find the songwriting, production, and vocal performances to be very superior in the 1963-66 time period. I think there is a reason the 1967-73 albums didn't resonate with the fans and general listening public, and it has much more to do than a lack of marketing. I agree. I think there's a lot to like on the 1967-73, but I can see how much of that material has more niche appeal.
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 25, 2019 14:37:22 GMT
I don't really lump 67-73 together anymore for the most part, but rather 67-71 and 72-73. Those Blondie/Ricky albums really stand out from what came before and after (not necessarily in a good way, though not bad either...just different).
Point being I love 67-71 basically as much as 63-66, but would put 72-73 below both of those eras.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 17:37:33 GMT
I don't really lump 67-73 together anymore for the most part, but rather 67-71 and 72-73. Those Blondie/Ricky albums really stand out from what came before and after (not necessarily in a good way, though not bad either...just different).
Point being I love 67-71 basically as much as 63-66, but would put 72-73 below both of those eras.
I go from 1967-73, specifically all the way up to 1973, because of Brian. It just seems like a natural cutoff for a number of reasons related to Brian - his age, his voice, his physical condition, his mental state, and of course the gap after 1973 up to 1976.
Again, I can accept why 1967-73 would be one's favorite BB era. Hey, if that's what you like, you like what you like. I like chocolate ice cream, you like vanilla ice cream. I can respect different opinions.
However, there seems to be this connection between how much Brian Wilson was involved - in various ways - and my appreciation of that album/era. Did you ever realize how few lead vocals Brian had from 1967-1973, and I don't mean a line here or a phrase there. Look at this breakdown:
Wild Honey - one with "Aren't You Glad" and that's a stretch 20/20 - In unison leads on "I Went To Sleep" and "Time To Get Alone" Sunflower - unless you want to count his part on "Cool, Cool Water", he has none. Surf's Up - he has one blended lead vocal on "Til I Die" and a half of a song on "Surf's Up" Carl & The Passions - none Holland - none In Concert - none
Including those albums in the 1967-73 time frame, it's hard for me to even remotely refer to that era as my favorite, or better than the Brian-heavy 1962-66 era.
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Post by kds on Jul 25, 2019 19:30:05 GMT
Brian sings the intro to California Saga: California on Holland.
Also, I can see how 67-71 and 72-73 could be separated, since technically, those are two different versions of the band. But, you could sort of do the same for the 63-66 years with 1963-64 still being the surf / car era, and the 1965-66 being the more mature lyrical era.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 19:55:13 GMT
Brian sings the intro to California Saga: California on Holland. But that's what I meant buy not counting a line here or a phrase. People (and I don't mean you) get all excited about what, two lines on "California Saga: California", and very average ones at that. I was talking about lead vocals where you carry the song, and for some reason - and Brian has never spoken to this - Brian basically disappeared as a lead singer from 1967 -1976. That's nine years and six or seven albums, and Brian didn't sing a solo/complete lead vocal!
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Post by kds on Jul 25, 2019 20:04:55 GMT
Brian sings the intro to California Saga: California on Holland. But that's what I meant buy not counting a line here or a phrase. People (and I don't mean you) get all excited about what, two lines on "California Saga: California", and very average ones at that. I was talking about lead vocals where you carry the song, and for some reason - and Brian has never spoken to this - Brian basically disappeared as a lead singer from 1967 -1976. That's six years and six or seven albums, and Brian didn't sing a solo/complete lead vocal! Sorry, missed that part. To be honest, I think the few times Brian did sing lead during this time period were quite unimpressive. The vocals seemed a little shrill, and even a bit nasally. Maybe he realized it was time to let Carl take a bulk of the leads that Brian would've taken in the past. And, by CATP, Brian wasn't really contributing much in the way of songwriting. By Holland, you could actually make the argument that, for a short time, Brian Wilson was the weakest link in the band.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 20:19:10 GMT
But that's what I meant buy not counting a line here or a phrase. People (and I don't mean you) get all excited about what, two lines on "California Saga: California", and very average ones at that. I was talking about lead vocals where you carry the song, and for some reason - and Brian has never spoken to this - Brian basically disappeared as a lead singer from 1967 -1976. That's six years and six or seven albums, and Brian didn't sing a solo/complete lead vocal! Sorry, missed that part. To be honest, I think the few times Brian did sing lead during this time period were quite unimpressive. The vocals seemed a little shrill, and even a bit nasally. Maybe he realized it was time to let Carl take a bulk of the leads that Brian would've taken in the past. And, by CATP, Brian wasn't really contributing much in the way of songwriting. By Holland, you could actually make the argument that, for a short time, Brian Wilson was the weakest link in the band. I wasn't a fan then (1971-1973), but it must've been frustrating. Brian would contribute his what, two songs per album, and they would be the standout tracks. And as a fan, you had to be asking, why just two songs from Brian? Give me more! Even more frustrating must've been going entire albums and multiple years - and never hearing the man sing!
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Post by B.E. on Jul 25, 2019 21:14:06 GMT
Did you ever realize how few lead vocals Brian had from 1967-1973, and I don't mean a line here or a phrase there. Look at this breakdown: Wild Honey - one with "Aren't You Glad" and that's a stretch Your point still stands, but let's not forget "I'd Love Just Once To See You", "Here Comes The Night", and even "Mama Says". I wasn't a fan then (1971-1973), but it must've been frustrating. Brian would contribute his what, two songs per album, and they would be the standout tracks. And as a fan, you had to be asking, why just two songs from Brian? Give me more! Even more frustrating must've been going entire albums and multiple years - and never hearing the man sing! It would have been very frustrating. I think they could have afforded to be a little more transparent. Meaning, they could have acknowledged Brian's condition and role in the band, as it changed, while highlighting his two or three new songs and maintaining optimism and excitement for Brian's future involvement with the group. The contract stipulations for significant involvement from Brian surely played a role, though. No doubt, as a fan, I'm wondering why the hell isn't Brian singing? Even in those few radio interviews he gives at the time, I don't believe he addresses it (not that he was asked). Though, he's not shy about admitting his lack of involvement with the group. Of course, youtube didn't exist then, so most fans probably never heard those interviews.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 21:28:11 GMT
Did you ever realize how few lead vocals Brian had from 1967-1973, and I don't mean a line here or a phrase there. Look at this breakdown: Wild Honey - one with "Aren't You Glad" and that's a stretch Your point still stands, but let's not forget "I'd Love Just Once To See You", "Here Comes The Night", and even "Mama Says". And...you're right. Brain fart. I missed those.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 25, 2019 23:41:08 GMT
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) - 8/10
On a song by song basis I think this album is fantastic, but I think as a listening experience it's a bit of a letdown. Certain songs sound under-produced relative to the rest of the album (e.g. "Then I Kissed Her" and "Girl Don't Tell Me"). Other songs just sound out of place (e.g. "I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man" and "Summer Means New Love"). In short, it's lacking in cohesiveness. As a result, despite the song quality being worthy, it doesn't quite crack my top 10 BBs albums. In fact, I rank its one-of-a-kind follow-up, Party!, above it. That's a great listen. With Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), I just seek out the individual songs whenever I'm in the mood to hear them.
Most to least favorite...
1. California Girls 2. Help Me, Rhonda 3. And Your Dream Comes True 4. Let Him Run Wild 5. You're So Good To Me 6. I'm Bugged At My Ol' Man
7. Salt Lake City 8. The Girl From New York City 9. Then I Kissed Her 10. Summer Means New Love 11. Amusement Parks U.S.A.
12. Girl Don't Tell Me
P.S. Not having Al on the cover is indefensible. He's singing lead on the #1 hit! Come on!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 25, 2019 23:59:48 GMT
Not having Al on the cover is indefensible. He's singing lead on the #1 hit! Come on! And, Al also sang lead on "Then I Kissed Her". One of the biggest WTF moments of the group's career. Even Bruce was there but he didn't make the final cut. What if Bruce would've appeared on the album cover but not Al?
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Post by B.E. on Jul 26, 2019 0:04:09 GMT
Sheriff John Stone It's too bad (about Al ), because I love the cover. I think it's great.
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Post by B.E. on Jul 26, 2019 0:08:20 GMT
They could have done a recreation for LA (Light Album) a la the Beatles red and blue comps!
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Post by kds on Jul 26, 2019 12:24:17 GMT
Sorry, missed that part. To be honest, I think the few times Brian did sing lead during this time period were quite unimpressive. The vocals seemed a little shrill, and even a bit nasally. Maybe he realized it was time to let Carl take a bulk of the leads that Brian would've taken in the past. And, by CATP, Brian wasn't really contributing much in the way of songwriting. By Holland, you could actually make the argument that, for a short time, Brian Wilson was the weakest link in the band. I wasn't a fan then (1971-1973), but it must've been frustrating. Brian would contribute his what, two songs per album, and they would be the standout tracks. And as a fan, you had to be asking, why just two songs from Brian? Give me more! Even more frustrating must've been going entire albums and multiple years - and never hearing the man sing! In all honesty, on Holland, I don't think he's missed that much, considering his major contribution, Mt. Vernon, was rightfully separated from the album proper.
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